Track position indicating apparatus

ABSTRACT

In a mobile track liner wherein the track position is indicated by the relative position of a reference line to an indicating element associated and cooperating therewith, a radiation signal is generated which corresponds to this relative position, and the signal is transmitted to a signal-receiving device by a device arranged transversely of the track and responsive to the radiation signal.

United States Patent inventors Franz Plasser;

Josef Theurer, both of Johannesgasse 3, Vienna, Austria Appl. No.734,708 Filed June 5,1968 Patented Dec. 21, 1971 Priority June 12, 1967Austria A 5463/67 TRACK POSITION INDICATING APPARATUS 14 Claims, 5Drawing Figs.

U.S. C1 250/83, 33/60, 104/7, 250/106,250/216 Int. Cl G01t1/16, GOlt1/18 Field of Search 250/71, 83,

106 VC, 216; 104/7 B, 8; 33/60 Primary ExaminerArchie R. BorcheltAttorney-Kurt Kelman ABSTRACT: In a mobile track liner wherein the trackposition is indicated by the relative position of a reference line to anindicating element associated and cooperating therewith, a radiationsignal is generated which corresponds to this relative position, and thesignal is transmitted to a signal-receiving device by a device arrangedtransversely of the track and responsive to the radiation signal.

TRACK POSITION INDICATING APPARATUS BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THEINVENTION The present invention relates to apparatus associated with amobile machine for indicating, recording and/or controlling thecorrection of a track position with a track position indicating elementassociated and cooperating with a reference line.

The apparatus of this invention is particularly useful in a mobile tracklike which carries track shifting means, and lines the track with theaid of one or two references lines constituting a chord in an arcuatetrack section, and cooperating with a track position indicating element,the difierence between the existing and desired ordinates, for instance,or the difference between the measured ordinates along the track servingas parameters for shifting the track laterally into the desiredposition.

However, the apparatus is also useful in mobile machines designed merelyto indicate and/or record the track position as the machine moves alongthe track, either to determine whether a track section has been properlycorrected or for using the record for subsequent track liningoperations.

It is a primary object of the invention to transmit a signalcorresponding to the track position very accurately and rapidly, and ina manner particularly useful for controlling track correction operationsor for recording track positions.

It is another object of the invention to provide an apparatus of thistype which is very simple, has no or few moving mechanical parts, takesup little room and consists only of a few lightweight parts.

The above and other objects are accomplished in accordance with thepresent invention by generating a radiation signal corresponding to therelative position of the reference line and the track positionindicating element to each other, and transmitting the radiation signalto a signal-receiving device by a device arranged transversely of thetrack and responsive to the signal. The signal-transmitting device isfixedly mounted in relation to the track position indicating element atleast during the signal transmission.

Such a radiation responsive device is particularly accurate because itdoes not involve any play caused by mechanical transmission devices withmoving parts, such as rotating axles, linkages, cable drives and thelike. Such mechanical transmissions also involve the inherent delays inthe movement of mechanical parts, for instance if the changing positionof the datum line is transmitted mechanically to a moving indicator.Also, radiation responsive devices are much simpler, weigh less and areless subject to breakdowns than mechanical transmissions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING The above and other objects advantages andfeatures of the present invention will become more apparent in thefollowing detailed description of certain now preferred embodimentsthereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein FIG.1 is a top view of a mobile track liner incorporating the apparatus ofthis invention,

FIG. 2 is a partial side view of the track liner showing one embodimentof this apparatus at the point where the track position is determined;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to that of FIG. 2 and showing anotherembodiment of the apparatus;

FIG. 4 is a schematic top view showing still another embodiment of theapparatus indicated at IV in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is a section along line V-V of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to the drawing and first to FIG. I,the apparatus of the invention has been illustrated in associated with amobile track liner wherein a machine frame I is mounted for mobility onthe track by wheels 2, 2 engaging the track rails 3. We have previouslydisclosed a number of methods and machines designed to line a track asthe machine moves continuously along the track, for instance in 0.8.Pat. Nos. 3,292,557, 3,314,154, 3,314,373, 3,343,496, 3,345,746 and3,353,249. The present invention is not concerned with any particularlining method or apparatus, and is illustrated merely by way of examplein connection with a single reference line moving along the track withthe machine frame during lining. As a matter of act, the apparatus ofthis invention need not be used in direct association with a trackposition correction apparatus but may also be used merely to indicateand/or record a track position, in addition to being useful to controltrack position correcting tools, such as track shifting means (not shownin the drawing).

In the illustrated machine, the difference between the existing anddesired position of the track at any given point is determined inrelation to a reference line 4 which is shown herein, by way of example,to be constituted by a tensioned wire forming a chord in an arcuatetrack section. The ends of the tensioned wire are carried by front andrear bogies 5, 6 mounted for mobility on the track at points spaced fromthe machine frame 1. The bogies 5 and 6 are coupled to the machine frameby telescoping rods 7, 7 which may be extended and reduced in length tovary the distances between the bogies and the machine frame. As shown,one end of the wire 4 is anchored to bogie 5 while the other end ismounted on a reel on bogie 6 so that the length of the wire may beaccordingly varied to keep it tensioned at all times.

At the point where the track position is to be determined, recordedand/or corrected, a similar bogie 8 is mounted under the frame I formobility on the track together with machine frame 1. This bogie carriesa part of the apparatus of the present invention.

In the illustrated track liner, one of the track rails 3, i.e., the leftone in FIGS. 1 and 4, serves as the datum or basis for correcting thetrack position. The bogies 5, 6 and 8 carry means for pressing the sameagainst a selected one of the rails, i.e., the left rail 3 in theillustrated embodiment, to hold the ends of the reference line and thecooperating indicating element in a fixed position in relation to theselected track rail. The present invention is not concerned withspecific means for pressing the bogies against a selected rail, pressurefluid operated means for such a purpose being shown, for instance, inour US. Pat. No. 3,334,592. The illustrated means is more fullydescribed and claimed in our concurrently filed patent application, Ser.No. 734,709, and includes a solenoid means 9 which, upon actuationthrough control circuit 18, pulls the bogie towards the adjacent steelrail 3 which serves as the magnetic field. To reduce friction, a rolleris mounted on the solenoid for gliding contact with the rail, the wheels8' of the bogie having rims pressing against the top of the rail forengagement therewith. In this manner, the running gear of the bogiesforms a firm and fixed datum for the ends of the reference line and atthe point where the track position is to be determined and/or corrected.Thus, the fixed bogie constitutes a fixed indicating element associatedand cooperating with the reference line to determine the track positionat any given point where the bogie stands.

According to the present invention, the bogie 8 carries means forgenerating a signal corresponding to the relative position of thereference line and indicating element to each other, and a devicearranged transversely of the track and responsive to radiation fortransmitting the signal to a signalreceiving device. The signalcorresponds to the distance of the reference line 4 from the one trackrail against which the bogie is pressed. The bogie itself thus forms thetrack position indicating element.

In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the track position and changes therein atany given point 4' (see FIG. 4) along the track are made visible by anoptical system. The bogie 8 carries a fixed calibrated scanning screenviewing point 4' of the reference line, the calibration being inmillimeters, for instance, thus generating a signal corresponding to therelative position of this point to the selected rail. This signal, i.e.,a light beam, is transmitted by lenses l0 and mirrors 11 which form theoptical system which is thus responsive to the radiation constituted bythe light beam. The signal is received from the optical system by aviewing screen 12 mounted on the machine frame 1 in front of theoperator of the track liner so that he may at all times see the exactposition of the track at any given point by comparing the relativeposition of the projected reference line point 4' on the calibratedscanning screen.

Furthermore, one of the mirrors 11 is semireilective so that one part ofthe light beam passes therethrough to a recording machine permanentlyrecording the track position during for ward movement of the machinealong the track. This recording machine includes a light-sensitive film13 moving continuously and synchronously with the movement of bogie 8and machine frame I. The light beam signal transmitted by the opticalsystem will thus make a permanent record on the film 13 which may beused in a known manner to control the lining operation at the time ofrecording or subsequent thereto, the recorded track position line on thefilm being used to control the operation of the track shifting means.

This embodiment is particularly useful in continuously lining a track asthe machine moves therealong because the operator not only constantlysees the exact track position and its deviation from the desired valuebut he can also immediately visually observe the track positioncorrection and thus control such correction.

This and the following illustrated embodiments have the advantage ofhousing the signal generating and transmitting devices on a separatebogie associated with the machine frame while the signal-receivingdevice serving to indicate, record and/or control the track position aremounted on the machine frame itself.

in the embodiments of FIGS. 3-5, the radiation responsive device forreceiving the signal is a radiation intensity meter means, theillustrated means comprising a pair of meters 14, 14 mounted adjacentthe reference line 4 transversely of the track, with the reference linepassing therebetween. For instance, the point 4 of the reference linemay carry radioactive material and the meters may be Geiger counters. Ofcourse, point 4' may be a source of radiation other than radioactive, inwhich case the meters would be designed to measure the intensity of suchradiation.

The radiation intensity measured by meters l4, 14 gives an accuratepicture of the track position, i.e., the distance of point 4' from theselected track rail 3, since the difference between the radiationintensities measured by the two meters is directly proportional to thedistance of reference line point 4' from one or the other meter.

The measured radiation intensity is converted in meters 14 into anelectrical measuring parameter (ampere, volt, etc.) and this electricalsignal is fed to an amplifier V whence it is transmitted to thesignal-receiving device.

in H0. 3, the signal is transmitted to a stylo 16 which permanentlyrecords the same on a calibrated record sheet 17 which movescontinuously and synchronously with the machine. Thus, the sheet 17 willshow any deviations of reference line point 4 from the desired position.

In FIG. 4, the signal is transmitted to an indicator dial which can becontinuously read by an operator to control the track positioning.

If a given radiation intensity has been predetermined for the desiredposition of the track, only a single radiation intensity meter may beused, the measured deviation of the radiation intensity from itspredetermined value indicating a corresponding deviation of point 4'from the desired position. Each intensity deviation is calibrated tocorrespond to a corresponding distance of reference line point 4 fromthe radiation intensity meter.

It would also be possible within the meters and bounds of the presentinvention to provide a fixed source of radiation and to change itsintensity by changing the reference line position, for instance bymounting stops with varying radiation transparency for synchronousmovement with the reference line. All t pe of radiation, which may bedirectly or indirectly influence by the position of the reference lineand its changes, are useful in the present invention.

The radiation responsive signal-transmitting device is always much moreaccurate than mechanical devices us this type, and also function muchmore rapidly, receiving and transmitting signals which indicate anygiven track position instantly.

We claim:

1. In an apparatus for indicating and establishing the position of atrack, which is mounted for mobility on the track:

1. a reference;

2. a mobile apparatus part guided along the track in fixed relationthereto whereby the apparatus part measurably indicates the trackposition,

a. the reference and the apparatus part cooperating to indicate andestablish the position of the track;

3. a device arranged in fixed relationship to the apparatus part duringthe track position indication and responsive to a radiation signalcorresponding to parameters determining track position for receiving andtransmitting the the radiation signal, and

4. a device for visibly reproducing the track position determined bysaid parameters.

2. In the apparatus of claim I, said devices for receiving, transmittingand visibly reproducing the radiation signal corresponding to theparameters determining the track position include an optical systemprojecting the relative position of the reference to an operator on theapparatus.

3. in the apparatus of claim 2, wherein the optical system includes aviewing screen.

4. In the apparatus of claim 2, wherein the optical system includes acontinuously moving record carrier receiving and visibly reproducing theradiation signal.

5. in the apparatus of claim 4, wherein the radiation signal is a lightbeam and the record carrier is a light-sensitive film marked by thelight beam.

6. in the apparatus of claim 1, wherein the device responsive to theradiation signal includes a radiation intensity meter means, theradiation intensity meter means being associated with the reference andthe radiation signal emanating from the reference.

7. In the apparatus of claim 6 the radiation signal emanating from aradioactive material and the radiation intensity meter means being aGeiger counter.

8. In the apparatus of claim 6, wherein said radiation intensity metermeans comprises a pair of meters, with the reference extending betweenthe meters.

9. In the apparatus of claim 1, a frame of a mobile track liner mountedfor mobility on the track, the mobil apparatus part being a bogieseparately mounted for mobility on the track, the device for receivingand transmitting the radiation signal being arranged on the bogie, andthe device for visibly reproducing the track position being arranged onthe mobile track liner frame.

10. ln the apparatus of claim 1, the mobile apparatus part being a bogiemounted for mobility on the track, further bogies mounted for mobilityon the track and holding the ends of the reference, and means forholding said bogies pressed against a selected one of the track rails.

11. in the apparatus of claim 1, wherein the reference is a line, andthe radiation signal corresponds to the relative position of thereference line and the mobile apparatus part.

12. In the apparatus of claim 11, wherein the device for visiblyreproducing the track position indicates said relative position.

13. In the apparatus of claim ll, wherein the device for visiblyreproducing the track position records said relative position.

14. In the apparatus of claim 1, wherein the device for receiving theradiation signal controls a correction of the track position in responseto the received signal.

1. In an apparatus for indicating and establishing the position of atrack, which is mounted for mobility on the track:
 1. a reference;
 2. amobile apparatus part guided along the track in fixed relation theretowhereby the apparatus part measurably indicates the track position, a.the reference and the apparatus part cooperating to indicate andestablish the position of the track;
 3. a device arranged in fixedrelationship to the apparatus part during the track position indicationand responsive to a radiation signal corresponding to parametersdetermining track position for receiving and transmitting the theradiation signal, and
 4. a device for visibly reproducing the trackposition determined by said parameters.
 2. a mobile apparatus partguided along the track in fixed relation thereto whereby the apparatuspart measurably indicates the track position, a. the reference and theapparatus part cooperating to indicate and establish the position of thetrack;
 2. In the apparatus of claim 1, said devices for receiving,transmitting and visibly reproducing the radiation signal correspondingto the parameters determining the track position include an opticalsystem projecting the relative position of the reference to an operatoron the apparatus.
 3. In the apparatus of claim 2, wherein the opticalsystem includes a viewing screen.
 3. a device arranged in fixedrelationship to the apparatus part during the track position indicationand responsive to a radiation signal corresponding to parametersdetermining track position for receiving and transmitting the theradiation signal, and
 4. a device for visibly reproducing the trackposition determined by said parameters.
 4. In the apparatus of claim 2,wherein the optical system includes a continuously moving record carrierreceiving and visibly reproducing the radiation signal.
 5. In theapparatus of claim 4, wherein the radiation signal is a light beam andthe record carrier is a light-sensitive film marked by the light beam.6. In the apparatus of claim 1, wherein the device responsive to theradiation signal includes a radiation intensity meter means, theradiation intensity meter means being associated with the reference andthe radiation signal emanating from the reference.
 7. In the apparatusof claim 6 the radiation signal emanating from a radioactive materialand the radiation intensity meter means being a Geiger counter.
 8. Inthe apparatus of claim 6, wherein said radiation intensity meter meanscomprises a pair of meters, with the reference extending between themeters.
 9. In the apparatus of claim 1, a frame of a mobile track linErmounted for mobility on the track, the mobil apparatus part being abogie separately mounted for mobility on the track, the device forreceiving and transmitting the radiation signal being arranged on thebogie, and the device for visibly reproducing the track position beingarranged on the mobile track liner frame.
 10. In the apparatus of claim1, the mobile apparatus part being a bogie mounted for mobility on thetrack, further bogies mounted for mobility on the track and holding theends of the reference, and means for holding said bogies pressed againsta selected one of the track rails.
 11. In the apparatus of claim 1,wherein the reference is a line, and the radiation signal corresponds tothe relative position of the reference line and the mobile apparatuspart.
 12. In the apparatus of claim 11, wherein the device for visiblyreproducing the track position indicates said relative position.
 13. Inthe apparatus of claim 11, wherein the device for visibly reproducingthe track position records said relative position.
 14. In the apparatusof claim 1, wherein the device for receiving the radiation signalcontrols a correction of the track position in response to the receivedsignal.